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Navy1
Navigator

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USA
126 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/21/2008 :  19:19:08  Show Profile
Can anyone tell me what they use to remove the "hard water like" scum that forms at the water line when the boat is left in the water for some time? I tried a number of cleaners, polishes and chemicals with not much luck. It was a hard, crusty like buildup that I could scrape off with my fingernail, but this would have taken forever. Thanks
Roger Richter
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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2008 :  21:05:25  Show Profile
Go to the dollar store and get some SnoBowl cleaner and a stiff bristle brush. I put mine in a squirt bottle and then with hose nearby I squirt, scrub and rinse. Some takes longer than others, but it will come off and you will have your pretty white boat again. Nothing will sub for it so make sure you get SnoBowl. This little secret came form a guy call BOTTOM DAVE. You can guess his profession.
Edited by - frog0911 on 05/21/2008 21:11:09
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2008 :  21:44:29  Show Profile
I'll second the toilet bowl cleaner. I've been using it since I've been sailing and I haven't found anything that comes close. I apply the cleaner with a sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes or so to let it work its magic. For tougher stains, I use the cleaner in conjunction with a green scrubby.

Take the usual precautions with toilet bowl cleaners since the active ingredient is hydrochloric acid.
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2008 :  23:48:33  Show Profile
I use FSR (fiberglass stain remover) which is a blue gel.
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3460 Posts
Response Posted - 05/22/2008 :  05:21:12  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
Maybe this is only an issue if you are in saltwater ? But I do not recall having this issue back when I had a boat in saltwater - Perhaps because it was a new boat and it had a nice shiney gelcoat down by the waterline ?

Currently, I am in freshwater so probably not same concern. I put polyglow (2 coats) every 6 months and during the season when the dock water is turned on, I wash the boat down to the waterline every so often. I do notice other boats that have not been given care in many moons, yellow down at the waterline. Once that happens, it is a bear to remove that stuff.

My thought is that having a polished surface and washing frequently can only help minimize waterline issues. Appreciate the recommendations provided in above posts since would not have thought of using a toilet bowl cleaner.....though me thinks use of it may not be environmentally friendly. I noticed that my marina has an advertisement pushing a hydrogen peroxide cleaner concentrate that is environmentally friendly (so the marketing matl indicates). Not sure how well that stuff works and I do not recall it's brand name.
Edited by - OLarryR on 05/22/2008 05:23:32
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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 05/22/2008 :  16:06:58  Show Profile
Don is correct. I forgot to mention this stuff will eat your skin off so get a good pair of rubber gloves and go at it. SnoBowl is for the dark crusty slim there is another one for just yellowing on the hull, but at this moment I cannot remember what it is call. I gave Henk a bottle after a demo for some yellowing on his boat, maybe he still has it and will provide the name. This stuff is sponge on wait and rinse or wipe off. Again good rubber gloves are called for or rinse your hands immediately.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 05/23/2008 :  08:44:08  Show Profile
Don't use toilet bowl cleaners on metals. It's corrosive.
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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts
Response Posted - 05/23/2008 :  21:53:10  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
The Starbright hull cleaner is also good. Same precautions about getting it on metal and using rubber gloves. There is another often overlooked product... sunlight. Once one gets all the foreign matter off, sunlight will bleach the yellow out if the boat is on the trailer.

btw, the most effective discipline in dealing with it is a well waxed hull that prevents the coloration.
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Bob Jack
1st Mate

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USA
58 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2008 :  07:39:22  Show Profile
30 plus years of salt water boating and getting the yellow off has become routine. The toilet bowel cleaners with hydrochloric acid work just fine...but lately I've been using a product called Mary * Kate <b>ON OFF </b> that contains a coctail of hydrochloric, phosphoric, and oxalic acid. It's available at West Marine. Spray it on and follow with the garden hose. I use the FSR for those rust stains that form under and around metal fittings
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Navy1
Navigator

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USA
126 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2008 :  20:40:26  Show Profile
Thanks guys, now I know what to tell the "Commodore" to use the next time. As you can guess, she never reads these forums. Roger
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.